A Mental Health & Lifestyle Blog

My Reasons to Stay Alive

It’s my 50th post today!

Although I occasionally talk about other things, the main focus of this blog will always be mental health. I started it for two reasons: 1, to spread awareness about mental illness and 2, to help people already struggling to feel less alone. So for this milestone post, I wanted to stay true to that. However, with that in mind, I thought it would be nice to have a nice, positive and motivating post to mark this day that signifies me actually being committed to something for more than 3 months.

I recently reread Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig for the thousandth time which is one of my all time favourite books. If you haven’t read it then you need to go and do so right this second. Well, maybe after you’ve read this post.

There’s a chapter in which he asks people to list all of their reasons to stay alive, and he also talks about his own throughout the book. It got me thinking about my own reasons; what are the things that keep me going when things get tough? I compiled the little list below over the last few weeks with this in mind, and it’s actually really helped me to notice my surroundings and to take note of things that are important to me.

* * *

The sound of rain on my bedroom window when I’m under my duvet.

The way my cat pads his feet when he knows I’m going to feed him.

Michael Scott.

Opening my tent door in the morning at Glastonbury and seeing the colourful tent city surrounding me.

Feeling the sun on my face and knowing my freckles will be coming out.

Rewatching old episodes of RuPaul’s Drag Race over and over.

My best friends baby smiling at me.

Finding a really nice new nail varnish.

Live music.

Watercolour paints.

Looking at the stars when it’s really dark outside.

Riding my bike really fast.

Watching my bunnies wiggle their noses.

Holding hands.

Hearing my feet crunch in the snow.

Travelling the world.

Running for longer than I ran the last time.

Making a difference to people.

Baking the perfect cake.

That feeling of anticipation that starts in October knowing that Christmas is approaching.

Laughing with my best friends.

Birthdays.

Picking strawberries and blackberries at the farm.

Finding a really foamy bubble bath.

Free alcohol on long haul flights.

Pancake day.

Watching Elf every single Christmas Day.

Finishing jigsaw puzzles.

That 20 minutes after I have a bath when I lay on my bed and my cat sits on my belly and falls asleep.

Finding cloud shapes.

Feeling the warmth of a new country when the plane doors open.

Learning new words.

The feeling of being completely engulfed in a hug from someone who loves me.

Meeting new animals.

Putting my feet into the sea for the very first time on holiday.

Giant Daisies.

Having the chance and the privilege to spread awareness and being told that I’m genuinely helping people.

* * *

I love making lists like this! It’s so important to reflect on the little (and the big) things in life that make it worth living, and having it written down makes it easier to think about on those days where things feel like they are starting to build up.

SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS BLOG POST! Okay sorry just felt capitals expressed my love more, I love these things! One of mine from this weekend is, the feeling of running down a hill, like your legs are going too fast and your going to topple over but it is so much easier than walking, like a child with the wind in your hair 🙂 xx

Yes! Yes! Yes! I absolutely LOVE this post. I have been working on a mental health post as well and find your spirit so refreshing! One of my (many) reasons to stay alive is to watch college sports…I know that might sound crazy/cheesy, but there is something so magical about collegiate athletics; I just love it! Thank you for making this post and sharing some of the reasons you have for staying alive! xo ❤

Oh wow, this post was beautiful. I would say my number one reason for staying alive is to keep caring about those I love. But I definitely have Pancake Day, Laughing with my best friends and Birthdays on my list!

What a wonderful post. I’m 4 years into remission of depression. I had a major breakdown 4 years ago 6/11/14 and it was intense I silently celebrate each year I pass that day and thank God I got help and learned how to handle life with a mental illness. It’s scary if you don’t understand, you feel alone and ashamed of your own brain but post like this and blogs like this make people like me feel less alone. Thank you for sharing this wonderful blog. You’re a gift!

Congratulations on your 50th post!! Such a great way to celebrate and this is a great post to mark the 50! I like how your post is bringing awareness to mental health as that is so important. Thank you for sharing! Xx